Looking for room divider ideas? These twelve options are perfect for zoning areas in the home and creating cosy spaces.
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Room Divider Ideas
The era of open floor plans is fading, and in its place, well-defined, zoned spaces are making a welcome return; with designated areas for work, play, and rest.
If you don’t want to build stud walls, this is where room dividers become essential, helping to create distinct zones and smoothly transition between functions.
Room dividers can transform a large space into smaller, more functional areas or provide privacy in shared rooms. Beyond practicality, they also serve as stylish accents, adding colour and personality to your space.
With so many options available—from simple curtains to multifunctional designs with built-in storage and seating—where should you begin?
We’ve got you covered with expert tips on choosing the perfect room divider. Whether you’re exploring different styles or considering a DIY approach, we’ll help you find the ideal solution to match your needs and aesthetic.
How to Choose the Best Room Divider For Your Space?
Key factors to consider when choosing a room divider
- Buy or DIY? If you rent, or simply don’t have the budget to create new permanent zones in your home, room dividers come in a wide range of options, from budget-friendly curtain panels to high-end sliding doors. If you’re looking for something unique, consider a DIY project.
- Functionality: A room divider can be so much more than just a standing panel—it can serve multiple purposes. Consider a desk that separates your living area from your workspace or a large display case that doubles as storage and decor. Multi-functional furniture is especially useful for maximizing small spaces.
- Room Style: Think about the overall aesthetic of your space and how the divider will complement it. Would a permanent structure suit your needs, or would a flexible, open-and-close option work better?
- Size Matters: Finding the right size can be tricky. A divider that’s too small won’t be effective, while one that’s too large might overwhelm the room. A helpful trick is to outline the intended space using painter’s tape on the floor and walls before making a purchase or starting a DIY project.
- Material Choice: Do you want a soft, fabric-based divider for a cosy feel, or a sleek metal one for a minimalist look? Trendy materials like rattan can add warmth and texture, creating an Instagram-worthy statement piece.
- Colour Selection: A bold, colourful divider can bring energy and personality to a space, especially in modern or minimalist interiors where it can serve as a focal point.
Try These 12 Room Divider Ideas in Your Home
Transforming an open living space with a room divider is an easy and budget-friendly way to add structure and style. Here are a few creative ideas, including DIY options, to get you started:
1. IKEA Room Divider Hack
One of the most versatile room divider options is IKEA’s Kallax shelving unit. Available in various sizes—from a single cube to a 72-inch-wide storage unit—it can be customised to fit your space. Stack and secure multiple Kallax units to create a striking partition that also provides storage.
For a unique touch, try an IKEA hack:
- Attach three Ivar side posts with hinges to create a folding screen.
- Cover the openings with cane webbing or jute rope for a textured, one-of-a-kind look.
These ideas allow you to divide a room while adding personality and function to your space.
2. Upcycle a Folding Screen
Create a private space or add visual interest to a room with a folding screen. These are a versatile option for large room dividers. For a creative room divider, get a cheap folding screen and customize the panels with paint, fabric, or peel-and-stick wallpaper to complement your home decor.
3. DIY Fabric Room Divider
Build a fabric room divider by attaching your chosen fabric to a wooden frame using staples or glue. Select a colour or pattern that enhances your space’s aesthetic. For extra functionality, use a thick fabric to help block light and dampen noise.
4. Use Sliding Doors
Sliding doors come in various styles, including traditional barn doors, sleek glass doors, pocket doors, and modern metal doors. They can be used to create a separate room or to close off an area of a larger space.
You can hang them from a track on the ceiling or mounted on a wall, depending on the design and layout of the room. They are one of the more permanent room divider ideas.
5. Use Curtains To Divide a Space
Curtains are a simple and inexpensive way to create a hanging room divider. Popular choices include beaded, sheer, and string curtains. Measure the height and width of the area you want to divide and purchase curtains slightly longer and wider than the space. Hang the curtains from the ceiling or use a tension rod to position them between two walls or other surfaces.
6. Create a Natural Boundary
Screening a room with houseplants is another way to create an interesting room divider. This can be done by arranging potted plants to create a natural barrier between room areas. Tall plants such as bamboo or fiddle leaf figs can make a privacy screen, separating a living space from a dining area.
If you want to create a more unique and eye-catching room divider, consider using hanging plants. Do this by hanging plants from the ceiling using macrame hangers or other hanging planters. This creates a refreshing partition that also adds visual interest to the space.
Best of all, including elements of biophilic design in your home will have a positive effect on your wellbeing and mental health too.
Adding greenery is such a great way to add a natural touch to any room while serving as a creative divider. Succulents, ferns, and other low-maintenance plants are great options for a living wall.
Living walls can be built by mounting planters on a wall or using a modular system.
7. Soundproof Your Space With Dividers
If privacy and noise reduction are priorities—such as in a home office—acoustic panel dividers can be a smart solution. These panels, typically made of foam with 3D designs, vary in their soundproofing capabilities.
To create a DIY soundproof room divider:
- Attach foam panels to three wooden boards.
- Connect the boards with hinges to form a foldable partition.
And just like that, you have a stylish and functional sound-blocking divider!
8. Craft a Macrame Room Divider
Get your craft on and weave a Macrame room divider! Macrame is a great way to add a bohemian touch to any space. These hand-woven pieces can be made from various materials, such as cotton, jute, or hemp, and knotted the way you like. They can be hung from the ceiling or attached to a wooden frame for stability.
Macrame room dividers can also create a cosy reading nook or shield a balcony space without blocking light.
9. Build a Bookcase Room Divider
Bookcases are a great alternative to permanent walls, especially in small spaces. They provide both physical separation and additional storage for books and decor.
To create a freestanding bookshelf divider:
- Choose a tall, sturdy bookcase and position it perpendicular to the wall.
- Secure it to the wall to prevent tipping.
- Fill the shelves with books, plants, and decorative items to enhance both function and style.
- Place heavier items on the bottom shelf for added stability.
For a more permanent solution, consider a built-in bookcase.
Customisable to fit any space, a built-in unit not only divides a room but also offers ample storage. It can even serve as a focal point, framing features like a fireplace or TV.
10. Partial Divide with a Low Wall Divider
Another option is to create a partial or low wall divider. This is a practical idea for the entryway as it partitions without making it feel cramped or closed off.
You can use IKEA shoe racks or short Billy bookcases from IKEA. Place the two units back to back and secure them together. Add a wood countertop on the bookshelf and cover the sides with trim for a built-in look.
11. Frame Your Space
Use picture frames to create a unique and artistic room divider. Connect them using eye hooks and suspend them from the ceiling with chains.
For a dynamic look, fill some frames with images while leaving others empty. Mixing different frame sizes creates a striking, hanging gallery wall that doubles as a functional partition.
11. Make a Pallet Room Divider
Pallet room dividers can be made by stacking pallets on top of each other or by attaching them with hinges. They can be painted or stained to match the decor of the room.
Pallet wood may be rough and nail-ridden, so spend some time sanding the wood down and removing the nails before painting or staining.
A room divider is a simple yet impactful addition to your home. It instantly personalises your space while carving out cosy areas for conversation, remote work, or restful sleep.
If your open-plan room feels too expansive, now’s the time to divide and conquer!
Jules Yap
Jules Yap is the founder of IKEA Hackers, a site dedicated to capturing amazing IKEA hacks from all over the world. She is a self-taught DIYer who believes that anyone can add their personal style to mass market furniture. Jules has two IKEA hacks on the permanent collection of the M+ Museum in Hong Kong and has been featured on The New York Times, Slate, 99% podcast and New Straits Times.
